When Skydive Myrtle Beach’s instructors say that their careers are plummeting, they aren’t being pessimistic about their employment prospects—they’re telling the literal truth. Many of these professional plungers boast a background in the military and Special Operations, putting their extensive airborne experience to work helping civilians learn the art and thrill of free falling. They provide one-on-one instruction on the ground for new skydivers before loading them into a Pilatus Porter airplane for a 15-minute ride to altitude. At a height of a little more than 2 miles, they strap onto their students and execute a high-altitude jump, reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour before deploying the chutes. The resulting drift to earth lasts about five minutes, allowing students the perfect opportunity to capture photos of Myrtle Beach or very incautious birds.